Prince Harry took his girlfriend Cressida Bonas on a skiing trip to Kazakhstan, it has emerged.

The couple flew to the oil-rich former Soviet republic, where they stayed at a chalet in a billionaire's resort, the Sun newspaper reported.

Harry, 29, and Cressida, 25, who are both said to be expert skiiers, made a 10-hour flight in a private jet to get to the central Asia republic. It is understood that they were taking a private holiday.

A royal spokeswoman declined to comment.

Harry and Cressida reportedly began dating in May 2012 after being introduced by Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, a close friend of Cressida.

Cressida turned out earlier this month to support Harry at an official engagement for the first time. The couple sat next to each other and embraced at the launch of the WE Day UK young people's charity event at Wembley Arena where the Prince made a speech.

The couple were seen two days later watching England play Wales in a Six Nations rugby match at Twickenham.

Harry, an Apache helicopter pilot who has served in Afghanistan, switched to a military desk job in January, with new responsibilities including helping to organise major ceremonial events involving the Army.